On July 29, 15 members of the Westwood Student Press traveled to the MediaMania ’14 Balfour Workshop at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. The camp included three days of classes on topics such as newspaper, yearbook, Adobe software, and digital photography. Those attending MediaMania ’14 included Balfour representatives, journalism teachers and students from nine schools across Texas.

“It’s important for the leaders of the yearbook staff to attend a workshop like this in the summer,” staff advisor Melanie Catuogno said. “It gives them a chance to develop a theme, design the cover and the general look of the yearbook, and be ready to start covering events as soon as school starts.”

Campers specialising in yearbook competed to win a GoPro camera for their school by designing a yearbook theme. Though Westwood Student Press did not win the grand prize GoPro, they came back with an award for Tops in Yearbook as well as Best Graphic Package. Individually, senior Kerianne Chen won an outstanding merit award in the Adobe Software class, and junior Mackenzie Farkus won an outstanding merit award for Leadership in Newspaper.

“I thought the camp was really helpful because it helped me design some templates for yearbook ads,” senior Kerianne Chen said. “I’m also more familiar with some yearbook-centered programs now that I’ve taken the Adobe Software class.”

This is the first time Westwood Student Press has attended a MediaMania Balfour Workshop. The group plans on returning next year.

“I feel like we’ve really bonded because of the camp,” sophomore Renee Johns said. “Due to that, I’m looking forward to my first year on Student Press.”